Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3,397, William Evans, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Evans, William
P 3,397
CONTENTS

Williams Evans
x
14/32

State of New York Delaware County
On the eighth day of October in the year 1832 personally appeared in Open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the said County of Delaware now sitting William Evans a Resident of the County of Sidney in the County of Delaware and State of New York aged Seventy five years - who on being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his Oath make the following Declaration in Order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed the 18th June 1832 - That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated - to wit That he enlisted at Cambridge near Boston in April or May 1775 for eight months in Capt. Luke Drinings Company Colo. Ward Regiment that he was Mustered and examined by Genl Washington in presence of Genl. Franklin and that he served out said eight Months in said Camp of Regt. at Dorchester Cambridge Lexington Bunker Hill &c and then Immediately to wit on the 11th of January 1776 he enlisted at Dorchester for one year in the Camp commanded by Capt. Samuel Wilson in Colo. Reeds Regiment and went with said Regiment to New London and to New York & on Long Island that he was in the Battle there and in the retreat off the Island - thence went over to Fort Lee on the Jersey side and to Bergen point - thence back and went to White Plains & to Peekskill most of this time under the Command of Genl. Washington - then from Peekskill went into the State of New Jersey under the Command of Genl. Lee and on the last day of December 1776 the said term of one year expired and as they were call'd on to be discharged the British Troops appeared in sight and at the Urgent request of Genl. Washington who was then present in the said Evans & some others remained about two Months longer and was Discharged at Morris town by Genl. Washington about the last of February 1777 - That again he enlisted and was Mustered at Worcester in Massachusetts in Aug t or Sept t and he thinks it was September 1777 for three years in Capt. Bakers Company in the 10th Massachusetts Regt. commanded by Colo. Bigelow and served in the said Camp of Regt. about one year and eleven Months to wit went from said Worcester where he enlisted to Stillwater New York State was at the taking of Genl Burgoyne thence went to Albany to Peekskill and to Valley Forge and went into Winter quarters there with a number of other Regts - Colo. Sapsords Colo. Dove Colo. Wigglesworth &c - that in the Spring of 1778 he went with said Regt to to Monmouth & to Monmouth that he was in the Monmouth Battle under Manger Lt. Col. Bayette - thence went to Morris town and thence to White Plains in the State of New York & thence to Providence and Rhode Island was in the Battle there and Wintered in the Town of Providence - that in the Spring or Summer of 1779 the said Regt. went to the Southward - but that he remained at Providence and some time afterwards he hired one John Crane as his substitute who was mustered and served out the residue of the said three years as may appear by the Certificate hereto annexed - that he was in several Battles to wit at Bunker Hill White Plains - Long Island - Monmouth and Trenton and also

Also at Stillwater & Saratoga - That he saw Genl. Burgoyne present & delivered his sword to Genl. Gates at Saratoga in Octr 1777 - That he has now no documentary evidence or other proof of his services but what is hereto annexed - And that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or Annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State
William Evans
Sworn & subscribed for year aforesaid C. B. Sheldon Clerk
The Subscriptions prescribed by the War Department being then put by the Court to the said Applicant under Oath and the following several answers were given by him on his Examination, to wit: That he was born as he is informed in the Town of Holiston in the State of Massachusetts in the year 1754 that he has no record but Traditionary of his birth and age that he lived in the Town of Grafton - State of Massachusetts when he entered the service - That he lived in the State of Vermont about ten years after the War - that he has lived in Sidney in Delaware County State of New York about forty two years past at which place he now resides - That he entered the service by Enlistments at three several times - That the following named persons who reside in the Neighborhood with him can testify as to his character for piety and ability of his services - one James Houghton Esq. Col. Jos. Aldrich Capt. J. Thatcher - Henry Bradley Esquire & Natl. Woolcott -
William Evans
Sworn to & subscribed the 5 day of October 1882 in open Court C. B. Sheldon Clerk
We Henry Eyster and Josiah Thatcher residing near William Evans do hereby testify that we are well acquainted with William Evans who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration - That we believe him to be seventy five years of age - and that he is reported and believed in the Neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the Revolu- tion and that we concur in that Opinion -
Josiah Thatcher
Henry Eyster
Sworn & subscribed the day of year aforesaid C. B. Sheldon Clerk

And the said Court do hereby Declare their Opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named Applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states — And the Court further certify that it appears to them that Jonah Thatcher and Henry Ogden who have signed the preceding Certificate are residents of Liberty in Delaware County and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit —
I Crawford B. Sheldon Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Delaware do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Evans for a pension And also that James Houghton before whom the Annex d Affidavit was taken is a Justice of the Peace in County 3 In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this Eighth day of October 1832
C B Sheldon Clerk.

Boston 25 June 1785
These may Certify that John Cane took the place of W m Evans, and served his full time untill he was Discharged by Genl. Knox on 24 th Dec. 1783 as per Adj t M c Intire's Certificate Lodg'd in this Office —
To Whome it may Concern
Thos. Walley
Sworn to & subscribed this 13 th day of Aug t - 1832 before me James Hughton Justice of the peace
Notar

State of New York - 3 Delaware County ss
Nathaniel Wolcott of the Town of Sidney in the County of Delaware and State of New York of Lawfull age of a Credible Witness being duly sworn according to Law doth on his Oath depose & say that he is personally acquainted with W m Evans of the Town of Sidney in said County and has been so acquainted with said Evans more than thirty years past - that he said Wolcott served in the Town of Brookfield in the State of Massachusetts in the revolutionary War that he was well acquainted with John Rice and Harry Marble who served in said War and that they have frequently told him that they was acquainted with William Evans and that he served with them in the same Company of Regiment in that War and that he said Wolcott further saith that from his acquaintance in that neighbourhood that it is commonly reported & believed there that the said William Evans did serve in the revolutionary War as he states in his application and that he concurs in that opinion and merely believes it to be true
Nathaniel Wolcott
Sworn to & subscribed
this 13 th day of Aug t - 1832
before me James Hughton - Justice of the peace

State of New York / 3 Rensselaer County / 4 3
Personally appeared before me the undersigned Commissioner of Oaths deposing for the County aforesaid. Asa Evans aged seventy four years who being duly sworn accord- -ing to Law doth on his Oath declare & say that he is Brother to William Evans of Sidney in Delaware County - that he now well recollects that his said Brother William Evans went out on the Alarm at Lexington in April 1775 & went to Dorchester Cambridge and while there in April he Enlisted for eight months in the Comp y commanded by Capt e Luke Drury in Colo d Wards Regim- -ent and served out said eight months according to said Deponen- -ts best knowledge and belief - and said Deponent further saith that at the expiration of said eight months he understood that his said Brother Williams Evans Enlisted on or about the first of January 1776 for the term of one year in Capt e Warrens Comp y in Colo d Reids Regiment at Dorchester & that he went with said Comp y of Reg t for New York in the Spring of 1776 - and that he remained in service in said Comp y of Reg t until some time in the month of February 1777 & returned home the latter part of February 1777 - and further that he said William Evans served about one month in the spring of 1777 in the Month of March 1777 near Boston he thinks in Capt e Baldwins Comp y in Colo d Dikes Regiment -
Asa Evans his mark
Sworn & subscribed this 21 st day of September 1834 before me E. B. Wadsworth
Commissioner of Oaths
I said Comp y also certify that Asa Evans who has subscri- -bed and sworn to the above before me this day is well known to me as a Man of Truth & Veracity & is a Creditable and Lawfull Witness and it appears Satisfactory that said Asa Evans was never known to write here he makes his mark
E. B. Wadsworth
Commissioner of Oaths

State of New York Rensselaer County ss. I Henry R Bristol Clerk of the said County do certify that Ebenezer Wadsworth Esq. before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the time of taking the same a Commissioner of Deeds in & for the said County duly authorized to take the same — Also that I am well acquainted with the signature writing of the said Commissioner and verily believe his signature within written to be genuine In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County this 9 th day of September 1834 Henry R Bristol Clerk

No. 702.
William Grant balance G. W. York
Ent 20 Aug 1777
dis. 27 July 1779
Post Master Woodville Otsego Co N.Y.

BRIEF in the case of William Evans of Delaware Co te in the State of New York (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 75 years 
vice, as directed in the form annexed.
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     May In 1775 8 — Private Gen. Co pt Drury Col l Ward   19 Aug - 1776 1 — 2 " Co pt Warren Col l Reed   Sept - 1777 1 11 — " Co pt Barns Col l Bigelow  
5. In what battles was he engaged? Long Island - Monmouth - Rhode Island Bunker Hill - Trenton - Princeton - Saratoga
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Cambridge Mass s
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence by the roll?
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Papers all attached as reg d
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
July 24th 1832 Examining Clerk. 1779

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
3397 ✓
P. O. William Evans
Service: Deserted July 1799
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

82296 New-York
William Evans Custodian
Lot 12 Sec 15 24 7 Hon S. Page

Rejected
Letts & Heby 1835 to Hon. S. Page

New York Revo:
William Evans
Rejected
let. to L. Hayes R.R.
11 May 33 talk. of (Bovee) 23. Ap. 1838
Act 7 June 32

William Evans—

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Evans Delaware Co. New York which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? us II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? us III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? us V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? us VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? us VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? us VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? us IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? us X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? us

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? yes XIV. †If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? XVI. †Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

State of New York Delaware County ss. 25
On this 25 th day of October 1834 personally appeared before me the undersigned Judge of the County Courts in and for the said County of Delaware William Evans a resident of the Town of Sidney in said County of Delaware of State of New York aged seventy seven years - who being duly sworn according to Law doth on his Oath make the following Declara- -tion in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 - that he entered the service of the United States, under the following named Officers and served as herein stated - that on the 19 th day of April 1775 he volunteered and went with the Militia - to Cambridge on an Alarm and served as Volunteer seven days and then he enlisted as a private soldier at Cambridge near Boston some time in the month of April 1775 for eight months in Capt. Luke Drury's Company in Col. Ward's Regiment - that he was Mustered and approved in presence of Gen. Washington and Col. Franklin on the 1 st of August 1775 at Cambridge - that he continued and served out the said Term of eight months and eleven days over in the said Company & Regiment at Dorchester Cambridge Lexington Bunkerhill Hill and then on the first day of January 1776 he Enlisted at at Dorchester for one year in the Company Commanded by Captain Samuel Warren in Colonel Reed's Regiment - that he remained with said Company until the spring of the year when he Marcht. with said Company and Regiment to New London - New York and Long Island - that he was in the retreat off said Island - and then went over to Fort Lee on the Jersey side and to Benger's - point - thence back and went to White Plains thence to Peekskill most of this time he was under the Command of Gen. Washington in person - from Peekskill went over to New Jersey under the Command of Gen. Lee and after he was taken prisoner General Washington took Command again and Marcht. to East Town and to Carrolls Ferry Hl and crossed over to Trenton and took the Hessians and thence to Morristown and on the last day of December 1776 the said Term of one year expired and as they were call d out to be discharged the British Troops appear d in sight and at the earnest and urgent request of Gen. Washington who was then present he the said Evans & many others remained until some time in February 1777 and that he was discharged at Morris Town about the last of February 1777 by Gen. Washington in person and returned home - then immediately in the Month of March 1777 he went and served one Month as substitute for Asa Evans near Boston - that he was in the Battles at Bunker's Hill - at the

White Plains - New York - Trenton New Jersey - That he hereby relinquishes every claim what ever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the Agency of any State - that he should have made application for pension sooner but formerly had good Health and some property but is now entirely deprived of both and is in Needy Circumstances
That he was born as he is informed & believes to be true in the Town of Norton in the State of Massachusetts in the year 1757 - 25 October - That he has no record of his Age but Traditionary information that he lived in the Town of Grafton in the County of Worcester State of Massachusetts when call d into the service -
That he has lived in the State of Vermont about 10 or 12 years - after the revolutionary War - And has lived in the Town of Sidney Delaware County State of New York about forty three years past at which last place he now resides -
That he Enlisted into the service twice - Volunteered once and went as substitute once
For evidence of his veracity he refers to William Beach, Col s W. V. Webster, Garrett Monfore and Henry Bradley Esquire who now and for a long time past have lived in the same neighborhood with him and are well acquainted with him
Sworn to & subscribed the day of year aforesaid before me -
William Evans
Names. William Beach, Garrett
Monfore, written on erasure before me & subscribed -
Amos Douglas. Judge of county courts of county of Delaware
We William Beach and Garret Monfore residing in the County of Delaware do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Evans of Sidney in this County who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration - that we believe him to be seventy seven years of age - that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier in the Revolution and that we concur in that Opinion
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me Amos Douglas Judge of county courts of county of Delaware
William Beach Garret Monfore

And I the said Judge do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after having put all the Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states — And I further certify that it appears to me that William Beach & Garrel Monfore who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of this County and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit
I also certify that it appears to me that the said applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend the Court — Dated October 25 th 1834
State of New York Delaware County S.S.
Amos Douglas Judge of County Courts of County of Delaware
I Bradford B. Sheldon Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Delaware. A being a Court of (Record) Do hereby certify that Amos Douglas Esquire who before whom the foregoing affidavits
purports to have been Sworn was at the date of the same a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Delaware A being a Court of (Record) duly Commissioned and Sworn and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge and that his Signature annexed to the said affidavits is his genuine Signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court this 7 th day of November 1834 B. Sheldon Clerk
ms b — s was it is n ch n at

William Evans
322961
7/11
George Thacher Esq.
Postmaster
Sidney
Victoria County N.S.W.
On P. Page.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, May 9 th 1834.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of William Evans, as a private, is borne on a Muster Roll of Capt. Luke Drury's Company, in Col. John Ward's Regt. where he is allowed from April 26 th to August 1 st 1778, for services and travel, three months and thirteen days. ————— M d 3-13
The roll of Capt. Luke Drury's Company, in Col. Ward's Regt. is not found in this Office after the 1 st of August in 1778. —
William Evans claims for services under Capt. Sam l Warren in Col. Reed's Regt. in 1776 and 1777, but the rolls he describes are not found in this Office. —
Edward D. Bangs. Leg

Wm Evans.
1 st declaration
Apr o or May 75. Capt Luke Drury. Co d Ward. . . . . 8 mo. 1 Jany 76 Capt Warren Co d Reed for 12 mo - served 12 mo. Aug or Sept 77. Capt Barns Co d Bigelow for Bryan - served 23 mo and hired Jno Zane as his substitute
2 nd Declaration
Apr 75. Capt L. Drury Co d Ward. . . . . 8 mo 1 Jany 76 " " " Warren Co d Reed for 12 mo - served 14 " Mar. 77. served as a substitute for Asa Evans - "should have made application sooner but formerly had good health & some property" - &c

Wm Evans Benedict
Madallia NY
one
Jan 17 th
Hon. S. P. Page M.C.
Washington City

Unadilla 17th Jan'y 1835
Dear Sir
I write you some time since at the request of William Evans - wishing a Certificate for his 8 Months service as proven by Mr. Conner. Also a Certificate for Isaac Benedict for his 9 Months as proven - the objection in his case appears to be that the name of Capt. Harrison does not appear on the rolls of Col. Harpers Reg't - but - Sgt. Rawley John Eastwood - John Mc Nutt and Benedict himself all have stated under Oath that they all engaged in Capt. Joseph Harrison's Company for nine months in the year 1780 - They all now say that they did so engage as above but did not join Col. Harp Reg't until September at Schenectady - that said Harrison's Company did march to Fort Edward & served with Col. Warner's Men until said Company were detached to Pownal - there to Schenectady where they joined Col. Harpers Regiment at which time & place Capt. Harrison left said Company & went in to Willett's Reg't they think - & this is the reason why his name does not appear on Col. Harpers Regiment that they then marched with Col. Harpers Reg't under Lieut. Doolittle to Fort Stoney under Maj. Hase & was there stationed until their time was nearly out when they were marched back to Schenectady & there discharged by Maj. Hase - all except Eastwood who was taken prisoner at Saratoga. we have good reason why Benedict should not have a Certificate for same.
Sir yours Most respectfully
Hon. S. Paige
Asaph H. Beach
P.S. Please state the above to Hon. Mr. Edwards & know if anything further will be necessary in Benedict's case - also Mr. Evans